Standing over the corpse of Polly Nichols, police officers decided that in life she had been a prostitute. There's no evidence Polly ever sold sex, so why did the authorities reach this conclusion? And do the prejudices that warped the police hunt for the Ripper survive to this day?
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10/12/21 • 37 min
4 Listeners
Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper - S1 E4: Polly the "Prostitute"
Transcript Summary
In episode 4 of the gripping podcast "Polly the 'Prostitute,'" the truth behind the myth of Jack the Ripper and his victims is expertly unraveled. This thought-provoking episode challenges the assumption that Polly Nichols, one of the Ripper's alleged victims, was linked to prostitution. Examining the biases of the time and flaws in the investigation, the episode sheds light on the societal norms that stigmatized women without homes or families. With compelling evidence questioning Polly's supposed involvement in sex work, the narrative is skillfully deconstructed, revealing a complex and misunderstood individual. By delving into the mistreatment of marginalized victims and the erasure of their humanity, this episode provides a crucial perspective for understanding the truth behind Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. Don't miss this eye-opening exploration that dismantles harmful stereotypes and offers a new understanding of history.
Transcript
Pushkin. Jack the Ripper is closing in on Polly Nichols. He stalks the streets of Whitechapel, passing the same pubs, shops and doss houses as her. Soon their paths will cross.
Speaker 1A common prostitute outselling sex will mean a monster driven to murder and mutilate walls. When I embarked my research, this was the story I thought I would be telling. But as I probed Polly's history, mining archives
S1 E4: Polly the "Prostitute" Top Questions Answered
Were the victims of Jack the Ripper all prostitutes?
The author's research undermines the popular narrative that Jack the Ripper targeted prostitutes.
How were vulnerable individuals like Polly Nichols treated by society?
Society dismisses vulnerable people and insists on labeling Polly Nichols as a prostitute, perpetuating harmful beliefs about good and bad women.
What did the police and media assume about Polly Nichols?
The police and media assumed Polly Nichols was a prostitute, which influenced the investigation and subsequent narratives about the Ripper.
How were women's behaviors controlled on the street in the 1880s?
The police used the Vagrancy Act to control women's behavior on the street, leading to wrongful arrests.
Why were women who deviated from social norms labeled as prostitutes?
Women who deviated from social and moral norms were often labeled as prostitutes, making it easy to assume the victims were sex workers.
How did assumptions about the victims' occupations shape the narrative of the Jack the Ripper murders?
The assumptions about the victims' occupations and lifestyles shaped the narrative of the Jack the Ripper murders.
Did Polly Nichols' family deny that she was a prostitute?
Yes, Polly Nichols' father and friend testified that she was not a prostitute and had no improper habits.
What is the term "the less dead" referring to?
The term "the less dead" refers to victims who don't receive attention or sympathy, perpetuating societal indifference towards them.
Why is it important to understand the experiences of the victims?
Understanding the experiences of the victims is vital to silencing Jack the Ripper and challenging societal norms.
What does the author compare the treatment of Polly Nichols to?
The author compares the treatment of Polly Nichols to the treatment of victims of Samuel Little, highlighting society's biases against vulnerable individuals.
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